Steed Malbranque denies Sunderland exit: I want to stay & fight for my place

Steed Malbranque has denied he is ready to leave Sunderland and has targeted a first-team place next season

The 31-year-old midfielder is in the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light and has been linked with a move away – with Fulham and Premier League new boys QPR reportedly interested.

But the former Tottenham man claims he isn’t interested in leaving, insisting he was pleased with the direction the club is moving in.

“I am very happy at Sunderland – I do not want to leave this club,” he told the Journal.

“I want to stay and fight for my place, I have no interest in leaving and I would like to stay longer if possible.

“The club has moved forward in every year that I have been here and we have done it again.

“With the new players that we have at the club, we can target European football next year.

“The club keeps progressing every year and I like that – I want to be part of it and I want to be part of Sunderland’s future.

“I want to be part of the squad, I have never asked to leave and I won’t.”